Large cottage garden,
St Albans
September 2025
“David’s design ideas were excellent and highly consultative.”
“We are truly delighted with the garden designed David created for us.”
“Thank you for the lovely Plant Directory”
Date: September, 2025
Location: St Albans, large cottage garden.
Client brief: Large cottage garden in the conservation area surrounding the historic St Albans Cathedral. The garden was tired, overgrown and full of weeds. The clients were keen to create a low maintenance and beautiful garden which fitted their retired lifestyle. A garden they could enjoy with family and friends, provide year round interest and be self sustaining and resilient. A planting design which delivers great visual impact from within the house as well as from within.
Site: 150sqm of planting required on a steeply sloping and terraced garden. The garden benefits from a south facing aspect with good light levels. The soils are generally good and neutral/slightly acidic.
Design concept & response: The inspiration for the planting design is taken from the Rose Window in St Albans Cathedral unveiled by Princess Diana in 1989. A rich interlocking tapestry of stained glass using a spectrum of colours. This inspired the rich interlocking tapestry of perennial planting across the garden which will flower from April to November and require limited maintenance. A palate of plants of similar scale which flow across the slope in a repeating patterns intermingled with grasses which add movement, sound and light play. New multistem Amelanchier and Acers add height and drama to the centre of the space.
-
Before
The garden is a steeply sloping, terraced garden overgrown with mature shrubs and limited ground cover. Significant weeding required. Only a few perennials remained across the garden with a large number of self seeded species dotted around. In need of a professional makeover to create a garden which looks great and fits the lifestyle of the clients.
-
Clearance & Renovation
Prior to re-planting the garden required a substantial amount of clearance, renovation and preparation. Working closely with the appointed contractor, the garden was cleared, shrubs removed and repairs made to terraces and other structures around the garden. The soil was dug over and prepared for planting.
-
Plant Ready
The contractor ensured the terraces were secured and soil well prepared ahead of the planting. The specific plant choice meant that further improvement of the soil was not required. The plants would thrive in well drained, poor soils and require little additional care meeting the brief of being self sufficient and resilient
The Masterplan
The Lower Terrace
The Rose Terrace
-
Rich Interlocking tapestry
The lower sections of the garden feature a rich interlocking tapestry of colourful perennials. A tapestry which delivers colour across the seasons. An array of plants with are good neighbours and of a similar scale creating a gently mounding garden with clear views up the garden.
-
Low maintenance & resilient
A plant choice delivers a low maintenance garden requiring clearance in the Spring. A succession of colour and fragrance across the seasons and structure and interest throughout the winter delivering essential habitat and food for insects and birds. A garden to be viewed from numerous terraces and seating areas.
-
Two gardens in one
The upper garden takes on a more calming and reflective tone with fragrant perennials in calming blues, pinks and purples with dots of yellow. Silvery foliage of Mediterranean planting adds to the atmosphere. The perfect place for the clients to enjoy summer evenings.
Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue'
Achillea millefolium 'Cerise Queen'
Helenium 'Sahin's Early Flowerer'
Veronica spicate 'Rotfuchs'
Sanguisorba menziesii
Gaura lindheimeri 'Rosy Jane'
Sectional Planting Plan
-
Plant Layout
Over 1300 plants and several trees went into creating the design. The plants and trees were supplied by quality UK based nurseries. 30+ different perennial species created the look and feel. A gently flowing, interlocking plan delivering a succession of colour and interest across the seasons. Covering the ground to ensure limited weed growth and requiring limited maintenance.
-
Professional Planting Support
It is important to work with a professional garden planting team to ensure the design is realised. Nicqui and Jane, from Pinegarth Garden Care, supported the planting. They will also be responsible for maintaining the garden and mulching going forward.
-
'Your Garden Directory'
At the end of every planting design you are left with ‘Your Garden Directory’ which includes detailed information on each of the plants within the design as well as general garden maintenance information to ensure your garden looks amazing for years to come.